Page 32 of Howl You Doin'

Scattered blue lights appeared as people activated their phones. In the dim glow, Fiona could just make out Caleb's face inches from hers, his expression a mix of fury and something else – regret, maybe? For the interrupted moment?

"I should probably..." she started.

"Yeah," he agreed, but his hands didn't leave her waist.

The howls were surrounding them now. Through the windows, Fiona caught glimpses of massive shapes moving in the darkness. Victor and his pack had come to crash their party, and here she was, still pressed against Caleb like a teenager at prom.

"Ready to show them why they shouldn't mess with an alpha and a fire witch?" she asked, finally stepping back, her hands warming with potential flame.

13

CALEB

Caleb's heart skipped as Fiona's body pressed against his. The music swelled around them, but all he could focus on was her scent - cinnamon and woodsmoke. Her green eyes caught the twinkling lights strung above them, and for once his gruff exterior cracked. His hand tightened on her waist.

He leaned in closer, breathing in that intoxicating scent. Their lips were inches apart when the lights cut out.

The howls echoed through the darkness. Caleb's enhanced vision caught the massive shapes moving outside - at least fifteen wolves approaching the building from the distance. Still, he didn't move away from Fiona yet.

"Your timing is impeccable, Nightfangs," he muttered.

Gasps and worried murmurs rippled through the crowd. In the darkness, Fiona's hands began to glow with orange light, casting shadows across her determined face. The warm radiance highlighted her fierce expression and made her hair look like living flame.

"Ready to show them why they shouldn't mess with an alpha and a fire witch?" she asked, finally stepping back, her hands blazing brighter.

"You know," Caleb drawled softly, "this isn't exactly how I planned our first dance ending."

"Oh? And how did you plan it?"

"Less howling, more kissing hopefully."

She smirked. "Play your cards right, and maybe we can pick up where we left off. After we deal with your party crashers."

"I like the way you think, Ashwood."

The howls pierced louder in the night, closer now. Through the windows, yellow eyes gleamed in the darkness. The shapes were converging, moving with purpose toward the community center.

Caleb's wolf instincts screamed to attack immediately, but his alpha responsibilities came first. His people needed protection. The darkness pressed in around them, broken only by Fiona's warm glow.

"Wade, get everyone to the safe room now," he called out. "Use your phones for light to get there safely."

Wade's voice cut through the panicked whispers. "Everyone pull out your phones. Follow the light trail. Stay calm."

Tiny screens flickered to life across the room like fireflies. Caleb watched as Fiona lifted her hands, sending orbs of fire floating through the air. The flames cast dancing shadows on the walls but illuminated the path clearly.

"Show off," he muttered, earning a wink from her.

"Says the man who can turn into a giant wolf."

A child stumbled nearby. Caleb steadied her with one hand, guiding her toward the group. "This way, sweetheart. Follow the pretty lights."

"Like Christmas!" the girl exclaimed, fear forgotten as she stared at Fiona's flames.

Wade organized the exodus, his steady presence calming the crowd. "Single file, folks. Just like we practiced in drills. Though usually with less mood lighting."

Fiona snickered softly. "Everyone's a critic."

Caleb's enhancedhearing picked up the padding of paws outside, drawing closer. His muscles tensed, but he kept his voice light for his people's sake. "Those flames permanent? Because my electric bill's high enough."

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